Christine Francisco said she was just 19 when she was hired to cook and clean for the Jones family, who had moved into a home on Cambridge Road.

It was only after she agreed that she learnt the Jones family was actually David Bowie and his wife, Iman.

“I was asked if I could handle it and I said no problem,” she said. “Nothing made me be prepared for his world.

“I was to report in at 5am every morning to make Bowie his fresh bread and then run to the market and buy the fruit for the morning. Nothing was ever kept in the fridge except water, wine and the small carton of milk for his coffee. Iman was focused on keeping everything fresh.”

Mrs Francisco said that Mr Bowie deeply loved his wife and son, Duncan. While she said Iman ran the house, and was usually strict about Mr Bowie’s diet, he would have Mrs Francisco make fudge brownies for him when she went away on business trips.

“I grieve today for he was a brilliant man who knew what he loved in life and made sure to achieve it.

“My condolences go out to Iman and the family and I wish them much love and that my prayers are with them that they find some way to say good bye and remember all the good times.”